Survey study, 2004
Does nutrient intake and exercise affect PMS symptom severity?
Yes. Women with higher calcium intake had significantly fewer PMS symptoms across all age groups. Exercise frequency was also associated with lower symptoms in women in their thirties and forties. This suggests dietary and lifestyle changes may help.
What they did
Cross-sectional survey of 299 women in Busan, South Korea. All participants completed a menstrual discomfort questionnaire about PMS symptoms and provided information about their nutrient intake and exercise habits. The study analyzed associations between these factors and PMS symptom severity.
What they found
Overall PMS symptoms increased with age (twenties: 2.07 points, thirties: 2.34 points, forties: 2.47 points). Calcium intake was negatively correlated with PMS symptoms in all age groups. For women in their twenties, carbohydrate and vitamin E intake also correlated with lower symptoms. For thirties, vitamin C correlated with lower symptoms. Exercise frequency correlated with fewer symptoms in women aged 30 and older. BMI did not correlate with PMS symptoms.
What it means for you
The study suggests calcium intake may help reduce PMS symptoms across ages, with some additional nutrients helping in younger women. Exercise also appears beneficial. However, this is a cross-sectional study showing only correlation, not causation. Findings are from one South Korean city.
299
Number of women studied
2.07 to 2.47
PMS symptom score increase with age
Calcium
Nutrient correlated with lower symptoms in all ages
About the study
- Original title
- A Study on Correlation between Premenstrual Syndrome and Nutrient Intake, Exercise Habit of Women
- Authors
- B T Hwang, Yi‐Sub Kwak
- Journal
- Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
- Year
- 2004
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 299
- What was tested
- None. This was an observational study analyzing dietary and exercise patterns in relation to PMS symptoms.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.3746/jfn.2004.9.4.383
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